Driven: 2017 Mercedes-Benz E400 4MATIC AMG Line Coupe Review
Mercedes recently dropped me the keys to the E400 Coupe, a contemporary mainstream gentleman’s cruiser, and here are my thoughts on it.
What is the Mercedes-Benz E400 4MATIC AMG Line Coupe About?
When I say Mercedes E-class, what do you see? You’d probably envision either the epitome of a luxury saloon, the typical E200; or the blitzing, neck-snapping brute of a German muscle, the E63 AMG.
What’s the middle ground then, the compromise? What if you want something with more spice than the normal E200, but you don’t want something as violent as the E63 AMG? And maintain the poise that tends to get forsaken with the AMG badge.
Then the new E400 Coupe may just be the car that you’ve been looking for. It’s Mercedes’s new long-distance cruiser, but is it up to par?
If it is looks that you’re looking for, then you certainly have nothing to worry about. Mercedes’s styling language remains foolproof for their on-road low slung vehicles. The new E400 Coupe is a suave remark to Mercedes’s past of svelte E-class coupes.
The taillights are reminiscent of the S-class coupe, overall a very unoffensive design package. Being painted in ‘Designo Diamond White’ also helps emphasize the elegance in the lines carved to the sides of the E400.
Perhaps a bit unfitting are those 19″ AMG five-twin-spoke alloys that our E400 is sitting on as part of the ‘AMG Line’. They look great, but perhaps pack a bit too much contention for the E400’s ethos. The diamond radiator grille is pleasingly fitting though.
Powering the E400 4MATIC Coupe we have here is a 3.0-litre direct injected twin-turbocharged V6. It’s not a brand new unit, but it still musters 328 bhp and 480 Nm of torque. It’s no AMG, but you won’t be begging for power either.
To deliver that power, we have the all too familiar 9G-TRONIC 9-speed automatic. Bearing the 4MATIC badge means that the power is delivered to all four wheels. This propels the car from 0-62 mph in 5.3 seconds, onto an electronically limited top speed of 155 mph.
It’s an efficient motor as well. It achieves 33.6 mpg and puts out just 189 g/km of CO2.
How Does it Drive?
In more ways than one, driving the E400 reminds you quite a lot of a Bentley. You can even say it’s an inexpensive alternative to a proper Continental GT.
If there’s one term to describe how the E400 behaves under acceleration, it’s ‘waft’. Depress the throttle and the car picks up speed without you feeling anything really.
Part of the contributing factor to how the E400 glides is probably due to the linear power delivery. Even though it is twin-turbocharged, there isn’t an obvious spike in torque delivery when you rev the engine out. In fact, the biturbo V6 in the E400 builds peak torque as early as 1,600 rpm, and holds it all the way to 4,000 rpm.
The engine is very silent. It barely makes any noise when you don’t need enthusiasm. If you’re feeling a bit frivolous and inspired though, the engine can make a lovely V6 wail. It has a lower note than typical V6s, which can be accounted to its two turbochargers.
This may come as a surprise considering the E400’s behaviour under acceleration, but it actually handles corners very well. It exhibits very little body roll, and the electric steering is nicely weighted and responds swiftly. The brakes stop the car well enough too.
You can feel the weight of the car under hard cornering. It’s not a light car at 1.8 tonnes. But the suspension is dialled in very well and responds quickly to heavy cornering.
Kicking the E400 into Comfort mode basically turns it into a mile crunching machine. The car irons out the undulations and minuscule ripples on the road. This is where the E400 truly comes into its own, and where the E400 is expected to spend most of its time on.
What is it Like Inside?
The interior of the E400 is exactly what you can expect from Mercedes nowadays.
To begin with, in our E400, we have the red and black Nappa leather interior opted. It’s a great departure from the typical black interiors of executive Mercedeses. As striking as the shade of red may be, it adds a touch of depth into the interior of the E400.
You may have also noticed the blue ambient lighting in the interior. Of course, you can change the colour of the lights, but the blue bathing the interior provides a stark contrast against the hot red leather.
Of course, there are a lot of optional extras you can spec for your E400. This ‘Premium Plus’ trim, for 4,000 pounds extra, is worth the trouble in my opinion. You get a giant panoramic sunroof, 84 individually-controlled LEDs for your lights, and most importantly, an impressive 13 speakers Burmester surround sound system.
The gigantic 12.3-inch infotainment system will be worth the 500 pounds as well. Overall, the interior of the E400 is very upmarket. Premium materials are prevalent, and the amount of tech is mind-boggling. Nothing we’re not unfamiliar with in a Mercedes though.
You might also be shocked to find that the rear seats are actually capable of seating humans. Legroom is actually a viable topic here. Perhaps not too surprising as the E400 Coupe is still based upon the E-class saloon, and its dimensions are quite large.
Also rather impressive is the luggage space, the E400 can take on 425 litres of cargo, which is enough for a weekend getaway.
The Experience
Driving the E400 Coupe was enjoyable. There wasn’t any glaring faults that I can find, and it’s a Merc that will blend in nicely with a street packed full of other premium cars.
You can definitely drive the E400 around every day, it’s fuel efficient, it’ll take on cargo, you can actually fit passengers into the car, it’ll happily stay at the speed limit without making an audible noise, and it’ll handle spirited driving just fine.
Verdict
So, should you buy one? The E400 Coupe is aimed at a smaller market, mostly appealing to the elderly folks. If you want a stylish, elegant coupe that won’t look out of place in the Boulevard Hills, the E400 may be one of the most accessible means.
For this price range, you would also be looking at offerings from other German kins. And for the price, the E400 offers a gentleman’s cruiser bearing the Mercedes badge while providing a fair amount of track capability.
If you are tempted, don’t look at anything less than a six-cylinder. For those wondering why is it needed when there’s the E43 AMG, you have to drive one. Then you’d understand the purpose of the E400, and with the right mindset, you’ll certainly be impressed.
Specification
2017 Mercedes-Benz E400 4MATIC AMG Line Coupe
- Price: £50,775
- Engine: 3.0-litre biturbo direct injected V6
- Power: 328 bhp
- Torque: 480 Nm
- Transmission: 9G-TRONIC 9-speed automatic transmission
- 0-62mph: 5.3 seconds
- Top speed: 155 mph
- Weight: 1,845 kg
- Economy combined: 33.6 mpg
- CO2: 189 g/km
Author: Paul Hadley
